The Namibia and Zambia Correctional Services have strengthened their cooperation in agricultural production, with a focus on soyabean production, where Zambian experts are sharing practical knowledge and experience through a technical workshop at Katima Mulilo Correctional Facility in the Zambezi Region.

Speaking at the official opening, Head of the Directorate for Food Production in the Namibian Correctional Services (NCS), Immanuel Ngolo, said the engagement follows a resolution reached during the 26th Session of the Zambia-Namibia Joint Permanent Commission in Defence and Security in 2025.

"Which we, the Namibian Correctional Service, invite our Zambian counterparts to the Zambian Correctional Service to come and assist and provide us with the technical assistance in the area of food production. And as a Namibian Correctional Service, we went around to identify the areas we need, and we decided to focus on the production of soya beans as an immense contribution to the sufficiency and food provision of our inmates."

Officer in charge of the Katima Mulilo Correctional Facility, Deputy Commissioner John Kambimbi, said the five-day programme aims to exchange practical experiences in soya bean production and assess the suitability of introducing the crop at Katima Mulilo and Kaoko-Otavi Correctional Facilities.

"Zambia has made remarkable strides in soya bean production, and we as the Namibian Correctional Service are eager to learn, adapt and adopt the best practices suitable for our soil here in the Zambezi region."

The head of the Zambian Correctional Services delegation, Superintendent Richard Sichone, highlighted the country's progress in agricultural production.

"I want to report to this gathering that as Zambia Correctional Service we have acquired across the country more than 55000 hectares of land, and it is on title. And currently we are just utilising a small fraction, and we have a long vision. We are not just acquiring that land just for fun; we want to be giants in agricultural production."

The initiative is expected to contribute to food self-sufficiency while equipping inmates with agricultural skills that could support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.